The interview meme just keeps going around. This time it's
miss_chance's turn.
1. How do define a life well lived?
This is more of a process than a goal. For me, the highest value is self-awareness, the striving to understand who you really are and why you're doing what you're doing.
2. Reflect on your notions of "respect," specifically under what circumstances you respect someone else, and under what circumstances you respect yourself. Are these the same? If not, how and why?
See above. There are two things most likely to earn my respect: having a clear sense of your self and acknowledging that other people have their own existence. Violating either of those precepts tends to dock respect-points, whether the offender is myself or others. One of the side effects of this is that how people treat those around them (i.e. conduct their personal life, friendships and romantic relationships) is of primary importance to me. While I can admire, for example, the art of a person who is/was an asshole, I can't respect them as a person. Another related concept is responsibility--people who accept the consequences of their actions score respect-points with me pretty easily.
3. In your lifetime have you experienced significant differences in how you have been treated by friends and colleagues whom you believe find you sexually attractive and those whom you believe do not? What are these differences?
This is really difficult for me to answer. I think that, in general, people who find my physically disgusting are more difficult to deal with. But from acceptance to attraction, I think other factors tend to matter more.
4. What qualities do you hope your children will have when they are your age? In what ways do you hope they will be similar to you, and in what ways do you hope they will be different?
I hope my children will have a strong sense of their own identity and be responsible and pleasant people. I think I manage those most of the time. In contrast to me, I would wish for them that they have stronger ambition and vector than I do at this point in my life. And I rather hope that they get Jason's metabolism, rather than mine. Mostly, I hope that, like me, they are generally happy and able to appreciate and enjoy their lives.
5. Why theater? Why now? Why directing?
Well, in some ways I've been engaged with theatre my entire life. During the time I was in California and London, I was an audience member, rather than a creative participant ("For some it is performance; for other, patronage. They are two sides of the same coin."), but that period was very fruitful for me, in terms of expanding my knowledge and experience of theatre. The reasons why I've returned to a more active role are many: since meeting Jason I have wanted to work with him and find that we do that well; given that other goals in my life are currently stymied, it gives me a productive outlet for my energies; it provides a venue in which I can develop as a director and a leader, while spending time with my family and friends and having the chance to get to know an ever-expanding cast of thousands. I think I'm a director because I can do the job. While I lack much formal training, I have a fair amount of experience and seem to have the variety of skills (creative, interpersonal and organizational) to actually make a show happen. And I really love rehearsals.
Thanks for some very thought-provoking questions.
If anyone else wants five, you have but to ask.
1. How do define a life well lived?
This is more of a process than a goal. For me, the highest value is self-awareness, the striving to understand who you really are and why you're doing what you're doing.
2. Reflect on your notions of "respect," specifically under what circumstances you respect someone else, and under what circumstances you respect yourself. Are these the same? If not, how and why?
See above. There are two things most likely to earn my respect: having a clear sense of your self and acknowledging that other people have their own existence. Violating either of those precepts tends to dock respect-points, whether the offender is myself or others. One of the side effects of this is that how people treat those around them (i.e. conduct their personal life, friendships and romantic relationships) is of primary importance to me. While I can admire, for example, the art of a person who is/was an asshole, I can't respect them as a person. Another related concept is responsibility--people who accept the consequences of their actions score respect-points with me pretty easily.
3. In your lifetime have you experienced significant differences in how you have been treated by friends and colleagues whom you believe find you sexually attractive and those whom you believe do not? What are these differences?
This is really difficult for me to answer. I think that, in general, people who find my physically disgusting are more difficult to deal with. But from acceptance to attraction, I think other factors tend to matter more.
4. What qualities do you hope your children will have when they are your age? In what ways do you hope they will be similar to you, and in what ways do you hope they will be different?
I hope my children will have a strong sense of their own identity and be responsible and pleasant people. I think I manage those most of the time. In contrast to me, I would wish for them that they have stronger ambition and vector than I do at this point in my life. And I rather hope that they get Jason's metabolism, rather than mine. Mostly, I hope that, like me, they are generally happy and able to appreciate and enjoy their lives.
5. Why theater? Why now? Why directing?
Well, in some ways I've been engaged with theatre my entire life. During the time I was in California and London, I was an audience member, rather than a creative participant ("For some it is performance; for other, patronage. They are two sides of the same coin."), but that period was very fruitful for me, in terms of expanding my knowledge and experience of theatre. The reasons why I've returned to a more active role are many: since meeting Jason I have wanted to work with him and find that we do that well; given that other goals in my life are currently stymied, it gives me a productive outlet for my energies; it provides a venue in which I can develop as a director and a leader, while spending time with my family and friends and having the chance to get to know an ever-expanding cast of thousands. I think I'm a director because I can do the job. While I lack much formal training, I have a fair amount of experience and seem to have the variety of skills (creative, interpersonal and organizational) to actually make a show happen. And I really love rehearsals.
Thanks for some very thought-provoking questions.
If anyone else wants five, you have but to ask.
no subject
Date: 2004-11-15 04:01 pm (UTC)because I don't want to clean your desk, either...
Date: 2004-11-15 04:20 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2004-11-15 04:56 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2004-11-15 07:50 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2004-11-15 09:10 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2004-11-16 11:23 am (UTC)2. Which airport you've visited this year is your favorite? Why?
3. Are you sensitive to temperature? Would you rather be too hot or too cold?
4. If you had to pick just one genre of music to listen to for the rest of your life, which would you pick?
5. Which is more important to you in a romantic relationship: honesty or passion?
Re: because I don't want to clean your desk, either...
Date: 2004-11-16 11:36 am (UTC)1. If regular attendance at a Christian church became compulsory in this country, would you a) attend, b) leave the country, c) stay away and hope not to get caught and accept the consequences if you were, or d) (clever alternative that I've not thought of)?
2. If you had to learn a new language, which would you pick?
3. If you were to establish the Policar Awards (annual awards in some category or categories that included international fame and a $100,000 prize) in what categories would you give the prizes?
4. If a trip to the moon cost $25,000, would you go? If not, what is your price point?
5. If you were starting your own religion, what would be the three top tenets or commandments?
no subject
Date: 2004-11-16 11:41 am (UTC)2. Besides people, what are you currently missing most about living in the US?
3. What's the oddest cultural norm you've noticed in Japan?
4. Do you tend to regret more things that you have done, or things that you haven't done?
5. If this year were the start of a three-year stint of teaching English in different countries, what two countries would you go to next?
no subject
Date: 2004-11-16 11:49 am (UTC)2. In what way are you most like you were when you were five? In what way are you most different (other than height)?
3. If you were to become a celebrity tomorrow, would you rather it were for your beauty, your work, or your other talents? That is, would you rather get a call from People's 50 Most Beautiful editor, Wired's Cool Geeks Doing Cool Stuff editor, or Entertainment Weekly's Rising Stars editor?
4. Have you ever had your fortune told? If so, is there something the teller said that you would like to believe? If not, what would you most like to hear about your future?
5. In what fields do you consider getting more education?
no subject
Date: 2004-11-16 11:59 am (UTC)1. Which game show would you be most likely to compete in: Wheel of Fortune, Jeopardy, or Let's Make a Deal?
2. Star Wars or Star Trek?
3. What's your favorite kind of pasta (e.g. spaghetti, ziti, rotini, etc.)? Why?
4. In what European country do you think you would most enjoy living for a year?
5. Do you prefer a clear sky, one with some clouds in it, or one completely overcast?
no subject
Date: 2004-11-16 01:02 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2004-11-16 02:14 pm (UTC)2. What's your favorite flower? Would you rather receive cut flowers or a potted plant. (Or, as they say in England, "a pot plant".)
3. Do you speak any languages besides English? If so, which? If not, which would you like to be able to speak?
4. What's the longest period that you've been single since you started dating?
5. In what female role do you think you would be most horribly mis-cast?